HACKENSACK — The Wood-Ridge man accused of murdering a 70-year-old fellow real estate agent in her East Rutherford home before setting fire to her body is due to make his first appearance in court this morning.

Daniel Rochat, 37, was arrested late Wednesday night after being pulled over in Allendale by detectives who had been conducting surveillance on him.

Bergen County Prosecutor John L. Molinelli said Rochat "did not go peaceably" and struggled with officers. A mug shot displayed to the media on Thursday showed him with several scrapes on his face.

Rochat's father, Gene, is the president of Kurgan-Bergen Realty, where Barbara Vernieri had worked for more than 25 years before her Sept. 14 murder.

Vernieri and Rochat had known each other for years before her death, according to Molinelli, though it remains unclear whether he was forced his way into her home before her murder or was invited in. Vernieri died of blunt force trauma, medical examiners found, and authorities do not believe Rochat used a weapon.

Vernier's home and body were doused with gasoline before being set on fire. Traces of carbon monoxide were found in her lungs, though Molinelli said it is likely that she had already died by the time the fire was set.

According to Molinelli, Rochat was unemployed, but often performed odd jobs and other handyman work at properties his father's firm was handling. However, records show that he had worked as a real estate agent in the past.

He is charged with first-degree murder, two counts of first-degree felony murder, two counts of attempted murder, three counts of aggravated arson, armed burglary, desecration of human remains, hindering apprehension, resisting arrest and false swearing.

Rochat is scheduled to appear in Bergen County Superior Court in Hackensack at approximately 10 a.m. He is currently being held in lieu of $3 million bail.